System and method for inbound call billing

ABSTRACT

A system and method for billing an incoming communication. A code is received from a calling party during the incoming communication. Expenses of the incoming communication are allocated to an account of the calling party in response to receiving the code. An invoice is generated for the calling party and a receiving party specifying the expenses.

BACKGROUND

The use of and development of communications has grown nearlyexponentially in recent years. The growth is fueled by larger networkswith more reliable protocols and better communications hardwareavailable to service providers and consumers. Users have similarly grownto expect better communications from home, work, and on the go. Manyusers often use communications devices to carry on business based onwell-established customer or client relationships.

Many businesses and organizations bill a customer or customers for thetime spent communicating in order to recuperate expenses related to thecommunications, such as long distance bills and wireless minutes, and tocover the hourly expenses or salary of one or more employees. It isimportant to track this time in order to accurately bill the customerand to recover the aforementioned expenses. Existing systems may allow auser to bill customers for outgoing calls. However, many existingsystems do not address incoming calls. As a result, each month a usermay be required to separate or invoice expenses for multiple businesscustomers and, in some cases, personal usage. The process may be timeconsuming because the user may have limited information regarding thetime and type of communication. In many cases, the issue may be furthercomplicated if the user cannot remember whether the communication wasfor a business or personal purpose.

SUMMARY

One embodiment provides a system and method for billing an incomingcommunication. A code may be received from a calling party during theincoming communication. Expenses of the incoming communication may beallocated to an account of the calling party in response to receivingthe code. An invoice may be generated for the calling party and areceiving party specifying the expenses.

Another embodiment includes a billing system for separating billableexpenses. The billing system may include a server configured to trackthe billable expenses associated with an incoming communication based ona code received from the calling party and allocate the billableexpenses related to the communication to an account of the calling partyat the end of the incoming communication. The billing system may alsoinclude a communications network in communication with the server. Thecommunications network may be configured to receive the incomingcommunication from the calling party.

Yet another embodiment includes a billing system for billable expenses.The system may include a processor for executing a set of instructionsand a memory for storing the set of instructions. The set ofinstructions may receive a code from a calling party during the incomingcommunication, allocate the billable expenses of the incomingcommunication to an account of the calling party in response toreceiving the code, and generate an invoice for the calling party and areceiving party specifying the billable expenses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which areincorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a communications system according toan embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a billing system in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for selecting a code in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for allocating costs in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for emergency dialing in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for allocating costs for calls inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a graphical user interface in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a system andmethod for inbound call billing. Businesses, organizations, and usersmay have difficulty separating incoming calls based on categories andcustomers for billing purposes. An individual user or small business mayhave difficulties separating telecommunication services into categorieswhich may include business and personal usage. An illustrativeembodiment may allow a caller to specify different categories forcharacterizing billable expenses related to an incoming communication.In particular, a caller may specify an account code or identifier,password, category code, or other designator, hereinafter referred to asa “code,” for billing the telecommunication expenses, flat fees, and/ora user's time associated with the call to the caller. The code oranother specialized number may also be used to bypass features, such asdo-not-disturb, call blocking, or other similar features based onemergencies or other unexpected situations in which the caller needs tocontact the user.

The billing systems and methods herein described may be part of allcommunications services provided to a user. In another embodiment, theuser may be required to sign up for a service plan, package, or featurein order to have the ability to separate inbound calls and relatedexpenses for billing purposes. For example, in order to be grantedaccess to a graphical user interface for setting communicationsseparation criteria or manually selecting selection criteria, the usermay be required to subscribe to a particular communications servicepackage. In one embodiment, the service plan may establish theinstructions, rules, policies, and principles for implementing themethods herein described. The service plan may be implemented bysoftware instructions, hardware, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a communications system in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. The communications system of FIG. 1includes various elements used for wireless and wired communication. Thecommunications system 100 includes a mobile switching center (MSC) 102,a local exchange 104, billing systems 106 and 108, database 110,wireless devices 112 and 114, transmission tower 116, wired network 118,a home 120, home telephones 122 and 124, and client 126. In oneembodiment, the different elements and components of the communicationssystem 100 communicate using wireless communications including satelliteconnections or hardwired connections, such as fiber optics, T1, cable,DSL, high-speed trunks, and telephone lines.

The wireless devices 112 and 114 may communicate with the transmissiontower 116 using communications protocols, such as time division multipleaccess (TDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), global systems formobile (GS) communications, personal communications systems (CS), WAN,WiMAX, or other frequently used cellular and data communicationsprotocols and standards. The wireless devices 112 and 114 may includecellular phones, Blackberry®, personal digital assistances (PDA),laptops, evolution data optimized (EDO) cards, multi-mode devices, andother wireless communication devices and elements. Communications withinthe communications system 100 may occur on any number of networks whichmay include wireless networks, data or packet networks, privatenetworks, publicly-switched telephone networks (PSTN), and the wirednetwork 118. The networks of the communications system 100 may representa single communication service provider or multiple communicationsservices providers. The features of the present invention may beimplemented by one or more elements of the communications system 100independently or as a networked implementation.

In one embodiment, the MSC 102, billing system 106, and transmissiontower 116 are part of a wireless network that is operated by a wirelessservice provider. For example, the control signals and operationalfeatures may be performed by the mobile switching center 102 and thewireless signals may be broadcast from the transmission tower 116 to thewireless devices 112 and 114. The wireless network may include anynumber of systems, towers, servers, and other network and communicationsdevices for implementing the features and performing the methods hereindescribed.

The MSC 102 may be a switch used for wireless call control andprocessing. The MSC 102 may also serve as a point of access to the localexchange 104. The MSC 102 is a telephone exchange that provides circuitswitched calling and mobility management and may also provide GSM, CDMA,personal communications system (PCS), or other cellular services to thewireless devices 112 and 114 located within the area the MSC 102 serves.The MSC 102 may include a home locator record (HLR) and virtual locatorrecord (VLR) that may be used to implement different features ofillustrative embodiments.

The billing system 106 may be an integrated part of the MSC 102 or,alternatively, may be an externally connected device. In one embodiment,the billing system 106 may include an integrated or network database forstoring customer and communication usage information and data. Thebilling system 106 may store information and preferences forcategorizing and sorting communications and communication-relatedexpenses into the categories defined by the user. The categorization maybe made based on manual or automatic user input. The MSC 102 and billingsystem 106 may include any number of hardware and software components.In one embodiment, the MSC 102 is an advanced intelligence networkdevice with software modules equipped to perform billing functions.

The local exchange 104 and MSC 102 communicate using a signal controlprotocol, such as a signaling system number 7 (SS7) protocol. The SS7protocol is used in publicly-switched networks to establish connectionsbetween switches, performing out-of-band signaling in support of thecall-establishment, billing, routing, and information-exchange functionsof the publicly-switched network 104. In addition to using SS7, a VoIPfeatured server may be used to implement call controlling. The localexchange 104 may be owned and operated by a local exchange carrier thatprovides standard telephone or VoIP service to any number of users. Inone embodiment, the local exchange 104 may be a class 5 switch that ispart of the network systems of the local carrier. The local exchange 104may include or, may be connected to, the billing system 106. However,the local exchange 104 may also be a Digital Subscriber Line AccessMultiplexer (DSLAM), Internet Protocol (IP) gateway, base station, orany other suitable network access point.

The local exchange 104 maybe a wire-line switch or public exchange usingtime domain multiplexing to provide telecommunications services to aparticular subscriber or groups of subscribers. The local exchange 104may be located at a local telephone company's central office or at abusiness location serving as a private branch exchange. The localexchange 104 may provide dial-tone, calling features and additionaldigital and data services to subscribers, such as home phones 122 and124. The local exchange 104 may also enable VoIP communication of thehome telephones 122 and 124 through a data network. VoIP works bysending voice information in digital form in packets, rather than in thetraditional circuit-committed protocols of the publicly switchednetwork.

The communications system 100 may further include any number of hardwareand software elements that may not be shown in the example of FIG. 1.For example, in order to facilitate VoIP communications, thecommunications system and the MSC 102 and local exchange 104 inparticular, may include application servers, media servers, servicebrokers, call agents, edge routers, gateways (signaling, trunking,access, sub, etc.), IP network service providers, exchanges, switches,users, and networks. The billing system 108 is similar to the billingsystem 106 except that it is equipped to handle billing for landlinecustomers rather than wireless customers. The local exchange 104 orother components of a wire line network such as data, PSTN, VoIP, orother wired network may implement the features and perform the methodsherein described.

The MSC 102 and local exchange 104 may include an authentication spaceor verification modules. The authentication space may be a partition ofthe server or other storage designated by the communications serviceprovider. The authentication space may validate that a user or device,such as client 126, is allowed to authorize the MSC 102 or localexchange 104 or corresponding billing system 106 and 108 to setpreferences, implement changes, review information, or perform otherupdates. For example, a user may be first required to provide a secureidentifier, such as a user name, password, or other authentication codeor hardware interface that verifies the user is authorized to makechanges within the authentication space. The authentication space mayfurther verify information or messages managing billing settingsreceived through an integrated voice response system (IVR), email, orshort message service (SMS).

The authentication information may be used to create a secure connectionbetween the client and the MSC 102 and local exchange 104. The secureconnection may be a virtual private network tunnel, an encryptedconnection, firewall, or other form of secured communications link TheMSC 102 and local exchange 104 may use any number of gateways, proxies,applications, or interfaces for allowing the client 126 to the MSC 102and local exchange 104 through the wired network 118. Alternatively, theclient 126 may use a wireless network or other network to access the MSC102 and local exchange 104. The MSC 102 and local exchange 104 may use ahost client application for communicating with numerous clients.

The home 120 is an example of a dwelling or residence of a person orgroup that may use any number of communications services. The home 120is shown as a residence in the illustrated example; however, the home120 may also be an office, business, or other structure wired orotherwise suitably equipped to provide telephone, data, and othercommunication services to one or more customers. In one embodiment, thehome 120 is equipped with multiple communication devices, including hometelephones 122 and 124 and client 126. The home telephones 122 and 124may be standard devices that provide dial tone and dialing, and voiceconversation capabilities. Home telephone 122 may be integrated in anynumber of other devices or may be used in different forms. For example,the home telephone 122 may be part of a refrigerator. In anotherembodiment, the home telephone 124 may be integrated with a personalcomputer, such as client 126.

Client 126 may be a personal computer for performing and executingprograms and instructions and accessing the wired network 118. However,the client 126 may be any computing devices suitable for communicatingwith the wired network 118. The wired network 118 may be a fiber optic,cable, telephone network, or other wired network suitable forcommunicating over a hard-wired connection with the client 126. In oneembodiment, the home 120 may include a wireless router that allows theclient 126 to communicate with the wired network 118. The MSC 102 andlocal exchange 104 may use a graphical user interface (GUI), such aswebsite or program accessible from the client 126, in order to receiveuser input for the billing systems 106 and 108.

Additionally, the user may provide user input through an IVR, email,SMS, or other messaging service to manage or review billing information.For example, the user may send a text message with the subject accountbalance to receive a record of all recorded billing for the month. Inanother embodiment, the user may set preferences to receive an updateeach time a call made to a billing party is recorded to provide accurateupdates and increased information availability.

In one embodiment, the user may be required to sign up for a servicepackage or billing feature in order to be granted access to the billingsystem 106 and 108 for the separation and accounting of billingexpenses. For example, the GUI maybe used to review normal billinginvoices and calls unless the user has subscribed to a specializedbilling separation service plan. If the user has subscribed to thespecialized communications plan or feature, the GUI may be enabled toallow the user to provide user input for separation of communicationsbefore, during, or after they occur.

The communication services accessible from the home telephones 122 and124 may include standard telephone service or VoIP telephone service.The home telephones 122 and 124 may be VoIP telephones or standardtelephones that include a modem and/or VoIP adapters for enabling VoIPcommunications.

In an illustrative embodiment, the user may select a category forbilling purposes using devices such as wireless devices 112 and 114,home telephones 122 and 124, and client 126. Calls and other messagesand data communications maybe made and received from the home telephones122 and 124, wireless devices 112 and 114, and client 126. At anytime, auser may select to enable, order, initiate, configure, reconfigure, orotherwise establish the billing method herein described. The user mayenable billing to a specified category in a number of ways.

For example, the user may use a command that informs the MSC 102 orlocal exchange 104 or billing systems 106 and 108 how to categorize thecommunications for billing. The command may be a signal generated toactivate a function trigger for a device such as the MSC 102, localexchange 104, billing systems 106 and 108, wireless device 112 and 114,home telephones 122 and 124, or client 126. In one example, the user maysubmit a command to categorize the communications to a business accountby dialing *2 on the home telephone 122. The command may also be apassword, voice command user selection or any other suitable option,setting, command, or user input.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a billing system in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram of a billing system 200, a website 202, and network switches204. The billing system 200 may include various components including acustomer identity management system 206, a telecommunication billingsystem 208, a bill formatter 210, and an invoice print application 212.The billing system 200 may be operated by a business, organization,group, or individual. In another embodiment, the billing system 200 maybe operated by a communications service provider on behalf of thebilling party. The billing system 200 may be used to record, track, andbill for communications expenses and hourly fees, base fees, flat fees,or other costs that may be linked to the length or type ofcommunications. For example, a user that calls a stock broker may bebilled for the cost of a trade regardless of whether a trade is executedor not on behalf of the user. In another embodiment, a user calling herattorney may be billed for the communications-related expenses and thehourly billing rate of the attorney for the duration of the phone call.As a result, the user may be able to track expenses for budgetingpurposes and in order to provide better satisfaction with the time orcommunications billed to the user.

In one embodiment, the customer identity management system 206, thetelecommunication billing system 208, the bill formatter 210 and theinvoice print application 212 may be part of a server, exchange, oradvanced intelligent device which may include numerous software engines,applications, and programs. The server may include a processor, memory,and the other components of a telecommunications management device. Theserver may store and execute the engine or a set of instructions tocategorize the communications and related expenses based on a userdesignation. In particular, the programs or instructions ran by theserver may allow the telecommunications service provider to implement abilling service plan that separates the communications and expenses or abilling feature to do the same.

The website 202 may be used to display information to the user and toreceive user input. In one embodiment, the user may manage expenseallocation for tax and accounting purposes using the website 202. In oneembodiment, the website 202 may display a graphical user interface (GUI)as shown and further described in FIG. 7. The website 202 allows theuser to specify categories and/or projects to which outgoingcommunications expenses and charges are designated. In one embodiment,the user may have a single business account to which expenses andcharges may be allocated. In other embodiments, the categories may allowfor multiple users, separate projects and a nearly limitless amount ofcategories as specified by the user. For example, within a businesscategory, the user may specify that communications expenses may bebilled to project XYZ or QRS. Alternatively, the user may designatenumbers, codes or other identifiers that may be associated with one of anumber of projects. By using categories and projects, the expenses arefurther separated for accounting, expense, and reimbursement purposes.For example, the user may further bill a secondary client forcommunications performed on the client's behalf, but needs an accuraterecord for sending the data even if the communications are performedfrom the user's wireless device or home VoIP connection. When selectinga category, the user may also specify the project number using keystrokes, voice recognition, or other forms of user input.

The billing is performed for outgoing calls made by the user as a callerand received by another party that will bill the user. The website 202may further provide a billing interface for the user to receive bills,view costs, and view minute and time usage of the called party. In manysituations, a user is billed for time spent receiving counsel, advice,or other services from a called party. The website 202 may allow theuser to view the communications-related expenses. In another embodiment,the user may also view the related hourly fees or cost for speaking withthe called party.

The billing system 200 further includes network switches 204. Thenetwork switches 204 send and receive data communication signals from auser and/or other network devices necessary for performing the specifiedcommunication. In one embodiment, the network switches 204 include allof the necessary components that allow the user to carry on a VoIPconversation. The network switches 204 may communicate with thetelecommunication billing system 208.

In one embodiment, the features and functionality of the website 202 maybe enabled only if the user has selected a communications service planthat includes the billing separation functionality as a feature. Forexample, the user may be charged an additional five dollars a month peraccount in order to be able to separate expenses as herein described.These charges may be levied by the business, organization, group, orindividual the user calls. Alternatively, the billing separationfeatures herein described may be provided to every user of acommunications service provider in order to encourage users to receivemore accurate billing and communication information.

The telecommunication billing system 208 may track expenses and costsassociated with the user's one or more telecommunications services. Forexample, the telecommunications billing system 208 may record longdistance charges and minutes made by the user to a called party for longdistance phone calls. The network switches 204 may similarly communicatewireless signals to a called party for wireless communication. Thetelecommunication billing system 208 is in communication with thenetwork switches 204 to track and record the amount of minutes used formaking and receiving calls, text messages, chatting and performingnetwork access features such as accessing the Internet.

The customer identity management system 206 validates that a user orcustomer is authorized to access the website 202. For example, aspreviously mentioned, the customer identity management system 206 mayprovide only limited or partial access to the telecommunication billingsystem 208 if the user has subscribed to the billing service plan or acommunications package that incorporates the service plan. If the userhas not purchased the billing service or the communications serviceprovider does not provide it to all customers, the customer identitymanagement system 206 may allow the user to access only certain featuresor prevent access to the telecommunication billing system 208. Thecustomer identity management system 206 may also communicate informationfrom the website 202 to the telecommunication billing system 208. In oneexample, the customer identity management system 206 may set criteria,rules, policies, user preferences and other user input used tocategorize communications into the categories to the telecommunicationbilling system 208. The telecommunication billing system 208 maycommunicate recorded information regarding telecommunication usage tothe bill formatter 210.

The bill formatter 210 may format the data received from thetelecommunication billing system 208 to a format and layout that may bepassed to the invoice print application 212. In particular, the formatmay divide the communications expenses, hourly expenses, flat fees, basecosts, or other expenses and costs by category based on the user inputso the user may easily ascertain what expenses have been accrued. Theinvoice print application 212 may be used to print an invoice or billingrecord for the user. Alternatively, the invoice print application 212may electronically format a bill or invoice to be displayed to the userthrough the website 202 via an email message or an electronic interface.The billing cycle may dictate how and when the invoice print application212 formats a bill for transmission to the user. Alternatively, the billformatter 210 and invoice print application 212 may categorizeinformation received from the telecommunication billing system 208 forcontinuous output to the website 202. As a result, the user maydetermine at any given time the amount of expenses belonging to eachcategory and usage levels. The invoice print application 212 may alsocoordinate printing and mailing of a paper format invoice or bill to theuser.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for selecting a category inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process of FIG. 3 may beperformed by a user accessing a telephonic device such as a wirelessphone, POTS telephone, or VoIP telephone. The process begins with theuser dialing a phone number (step 302). The number dialed may beassociated with a business, organization, group, or individual, withwhom the user has a business or personal relationship. The call may be astandard voice only telephone call or it may incorporate media elements,such as video conferencing or calling. By dialing the phone number 302,a call is initiated and an automated system may answer or intercept thecall.

Next, the user enters a code (step 304). The code may be a password,voice identification, pin number, or other customer identifier forbilling the user for the call. The customer identification may have beenpreviously assigned to the user or a number of associated individuals.As a result, all of the costs associated with the phone call, which mayinclude communications expenses, personal time, and professional fees,are recorded for the duration of the phone call in response to step 304.In one embodiment, the code may include a base number identifying theuser and a subsequent number identifying a specified project, category,or matter. For example, general business calls may have a different codeor portion of the code than tax related calls. For example, the user mayenter a code, such as 448323, and a subsequent number of 292 to bill theexpenses incurred when calling the wireless device of the user's lawyer.The lawyer's hourly rate of two hundred and fifty dollars an hour mayalso be tracked relative to the length of the call for subsequent reviewby the user's lawyer and/or the user. The tracking of outgoing callsprovides for more transparency in subsequent billing and furtherenhances financial relationships.

In some cases, the user may have established a matter number if thematter or project is not specified when the code is entered. Forexample, all calls may be categorized to a general business categoryunless the user input is recovered indicating otherwise. Next, the userends the call (step 306). Once the user has ended the call the user maybe able to verify the duration of the call and any costs associated withthe call through the telephonic device used to make the call or througha website. In one embodiment, once the call has ended, the user mayenter a number or request to hear a breakdown of the billing for thecall for budgeting purposes or to make sure that the expenses arecorrect.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for allocating costs in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. The process of FIG. 4 may beimplemented by a billing system or database of a wired or wirelessnetwork The process may be initiated in response to receiving a callfrom a user. The process begins by prompting a user to enter a code(step 402). The prompt may be an automated message, tone, or otherindicator that informs a user that it is appropriate to enter a code. Inone embodiment, the user may have been previously informed of theability to enter a code in order to better track expenses associatedwith the call.

Continuing, the billing system receives the code for an incomingcommunication (step 404). The code may be received from a user before orafter the user initiates or sends the outgoing communication. Thecategory code may also be received based on a specialized pass code,password, or button of a telephonic device.

Next, the billing system allocates the costs associated with theoutgoing communication to the user (step 406). In one example, if theuser is using a VoIP telephone and has specified a business code, thelong distance charges and expenses associated with the long distancecall are categorized as expenses for the user. In another example, theperson receiving the call may be using a cellular phone, and as aresult, the cost for the minutes and the previously discussed hourly orper-call rate is similarly applied. In another embodiment, the billingsystem may have received a specified project number in addition to thecode in step 404 so that the costs and/or expense may be billed to thespecified category.

The categories may represent a visual or physical separation in data. Inone example, each code is saved in a separate file. In another example,each communication is marked with a designator or identifier indicatingthe relevant user billing invoice. The billing system may furtherapportion costs to user-designated projects within each user profile aspre-defined by criteria or specified by the user. Expenses associatedwith communications, as well as a portion of the monthly service fee andtaxes, may be apportioned to each category for more reasonable andaccurate accounting.

The billing system reports associated costs to the user and thereceiving party (step 408). The costs and expenses associated with eachcategory may be reported in step 406 using any number of methods. In oneembodiment, an invoice or bill may be emailed to the user. In anotherembodiment, the user may receive a hard copy through a traditional paperbilling system. Alternatively, the report may be displayed to a userusing a database or graphical user interface accessible by the userthrough a network connection. The report of step 408 preferably showsall communications for the month or designated time period andassociated costs for each. Each communication may also show time,duration, costs, hourly rates, flat fees, commission, base fees,expenses, relevant codes, and other helpful or relevant information.

In one embodiment, the user may use a personal computer and Internetapplication to access web resources provided through the billing systemor with access to the billing system. The user may specify the code,project number, password, or other information being billed for thecommunications made by the user. In another embodiment, the user maymanage a number of different users that may call the receiving party.For example, a number of in-house attorneys may call outside counsel andmay be billed collectively for the associated telecommunications costsand hourly fees of the outside counsel. As a result, any communicationsbetween the user and the receiving party are associated for billingpurposes allowing for better accounting and cost management.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for emergency dialing in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. The process of FIG. 5 may beimplemented by a communications system, billing system, or wirelessdevice in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention. The process may be implemented by a server, MSC, IPtelephone, or wireless device hereinafter referred to as a “device”. Theprocess may be particularly useful for wireless devices based on theavailability of the user. The process may be implemented for a devicethat has activated or requested a do-not-disturb, blocking, or otherfeature preventing a telephonic device from ringing. In particular, therecognition of the an emergency dialing code maybe integrated with abilling system for ensuring that important or critical personal orbusiness communications may occur under specified conditions.

The process begins by receiving an incoming communication (step 502).The incoming communication may be a phone call, video call, telephonicchat session or other similar communication. The device then plays anunavailability message (step 504). The message of step 504 may depend onthe type of feature being used. For example, the user may have set anincremental do-not-disturb feature so that an automated messagespecifies a time period during which the user is unavailable. Forexample, the message may say “The caller you have dialed is temporarilyunavailable.” The message may be a default message or customized messagebased on the user's preferences.

Next, the device may receive an emergency code from a user (step 506).The emergency code may be received at any time after the phone number isdialed based on the actions of a user. In one embodiment, the emergencycode may be received as the unavailability message is being played orafterward. The device may not prompt a user to input an emergency code.As a result, the emergency code may be available only to individualswith whom the user has personally informed or shared the emergency codewith.

The emergency code may also be a code that is for allocating expensesfor business purposes. The emergency code may be used for personal orbusiness purposes. For example, if a user is unable to reach the partybecause of a do-not-disturb feature, the user may enter a code such as“062177” that indicating an emergency call. The emergency code may alsobe a specific project or matter number. For example, after entering aclient number, the user may enter 911 indicating the user's immediateneed to reach the dialed party. In one embodiment, the emergency codemay be a keyword or phrase, such as “help” or “emergency.” The devicemay use voice recognition software to detect and identify the speech asan emergency code.

Next, the device determines whether a valid emergency code is received(step 508). The determination of step 508 may be made based on certaincriteria, factors, or other information previously submitted by theuser. The dialed party may have previously specified any number ofdifferent emergency codes for family members, associates, employees, orother individuals who may need to contact the dialed party during anemergency. In one embodiment, the user may be prompted to enter a validemergency code if the code is not received the first time. For example,the device may prompt the user to enter an emergency code three timesbefore the determination is made that a valid emergency code is notreceived.

If a valid emergency code is not received, the device processes the callnormally for unavailability (step 510). The call is processed normallyif an emergency code is not entered or if the an incorrect code isentered. The call process of step 510 may include providing additionalcontact information for the dialed party, referencing alternativenumbers, or sending the call to a voice mail, an operator, or otherautomated system. In another embodiment, the call may simply continue toring without response or end.

If a valid emergency code is received in step 508, the device allows thetelephonic device to ring (step 512). The call is connected to the userallowing the user to answer or ignore the call. In one embodiment, thedevice may automatically answer the phone and activate a speaker of thephone in case the user is not near enough to answer or reach the phone.The user may have set preferences for the type of ring allowed foremergency dialing. For example, the device may be set to ring, vibrate,flash, auto-answer, activate a speaker, or otherwise enablecommunication.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for allocating costs for calls inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process of FIG. 6 may beimplemented by a billing system as previously described. The process ofFIG. 6 begins by receiving user input to charge an incoming call to acustomer account (step 602). The user input may be a code, password,keyword, or other user input. The user input may be a single numbersequence or multiple number used to select a partition or folder of thecustomer's account.

Next, the billing system determines whether the user input designates aspecified project (step 604). The determination of step 604 may be basedon user input received from the user at the time the call was placed.For example, the user may have pressed *2458 after dialing the receivingparty to specify a certain project within the customer account or for aseparate customer account. As a result, the call may be designated to aproduct development project. Alternatively, the user may have previouslyestablished a criterion specifying that all calls not otherwisedesignated are billed to a default or general customer account. The usermay have also established criteria for separating expenses to differentprojects or sub-projects within the customer account.

If the user input designates a specified project in step 604, thebilling system allocates expenses to the specified project of thecustomer account (step 606). Next, the billing system submits a billinginvoice to the user with the expenses allocates to the customer accountor specified projects (step 608). The billing invoice may be submittedthrough email, a web interface, or traditional paper means as previouslydescribed. The billing invoice may be submitted to the user at the endof a specified period, such as once a month. The billing invoice mayalso be reviewed or managed by the billing party before it is sent tothe user. In one example, the user may reduce, delete, and otherwisemanage billable charges that are automatically billed to the user formaking calls. The billing party may not bill the user in order toenhance good will, because the conversation was not productive, orbecause the billing was otherwise incorrect. For example, before theuser is billed in step 608, the billing party may be required to approveor disprove all of the charges.

If the user input does not designate a specified project in step 604,the billing system allocates expenses to the default project of thecustomer account (step 610). The default project may be a sole projector the balance of the customer account. Next, the billing system submitsa billing invoice to the user with the expenses allocated to thecustomer's account or specified projects (step 608).

FIG. 7 is a graphical user interface in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. The graphical user interface 700 may be displayed to a userusing a client, such as client 126 of FIG. 1. The graphical userinterface 700 may be used to display and manage expense allocationbefore, during, and after communications occur by establishing codes,project numbers, manually moving communications related expenses,setting user preferences, and providing user input. The graphical userinterface 700 may also be part of an interactive message, such as anemail message, SMS message, or information available through an IVR. Forexample, the graphical user interface 700 may be emailed or textmessaged to the calling party and receiving party each time acommunication occurs or each time a communication with a cost above aspecified threshold occurs.

In one embodiment, the graphical user interface 700 maybe displayed tothe user only if the user has signed up for or subscribed to acommunications service plan or billing feature. The added features ofthe graphical user interface 700 and enhanced billing system provide amethod of saving employee and employer time, effort, and expense toproperly account for different categories and types of expenses.

For example, the graphical user interface 700 maybe part of a webbrowsing application with content populated by a communications serviceprovider such as website 202 of FIG. 2. Alternatively, the graphicaluser interface 700 may be printed in the form of a billing or invoicestatement sent to the user. The graphical user interface 700 may also beintegrated in an email that is sent to the user at the end of a billingcycle. The graphical user interface 700 may include numerous elements,such as a user name 702, a password 704, a customer code 706, an addproject designator 708, an emergency dialing selection 710, an emergencydial number 712, communications expenses 714, phone numbers 716 and 718,cost per minute 720 and 722, hourly rates 724 and 726, flat fee cost728, caller identification 730 and 732, dates 734 and 736, minutes 738and 740, total costs 742 and 744, summed minutes 746 and 748, andoverall costs 750 and 752.

The user name 702, password 704 and customer code 706 may be used by awebsite or authentication system to determine whether a user and/orbilling party may access the graphical user interface 700. The customercode 706 may be the code provided to bill calls and access the account.The password 704 may be required in addition to a username or customercode in order to access the graphical user interface 700. The graphicaluser interface 700 may be used to view balances, manage preferences,print invoices, or otherwise allow interaction between the user and thebilling party. For example, the user may be able to place comments orquestions in a field regarding phone calls or the billing applicable toone or more methods of communications.

The user may use the graphical user interface 700, the add projectdesignator 708, and the category designator 710 to add new projects oramend the customer code 706. For example, the user may be an engineeringmanager that frequently consults with an independent consultantregarding safety features. The customer code and a subsequent projectnumber may be used to identify current projects and accurately bill theuser for phone calls, expenses, and time of the consultant.

The emergency dialing selection 710 may allow a user to activate afeature needing emergency dialing. For example, when a user inputs theemergency dialing number 712, alone or in conjunction with the customercode 706, the user may be able to reach the receiving party or dialedparty even if the receiving party has activated a do-not-disturb orother similar feature on their telephonic device. In one embodiment, theuser may dial the customer code 706, 24548 and then a subsequent number211 in order to break through during an emergency call. The emergencydialing number 712 may be used in the cases of business, personal, orother emergencies. For example, the user may enable a generic emergencydialing number 712 that maybe used to contact any number of users inorder to access the dialed party regardless of the phone or networkstatus that may normally prevent the call from being completed. Theemergency dialing number 712 may be set by the user or the billing partybased on a mutual agreement or based on the user's input.

The graphical user interface 700 may allow a billing party to manageexpenses for calls made to any number of phone numbers, such as, phonenumber 716 and 718. The communication expenses 714 may show the detailsof how the user is built for incoming calls. For example, when the usercalls the phone number 716, the cost per minute 720 is 5¢ per minute andthe hourly rate 724 for dialing that number is $200.00 per hour. In oneexample, the phone number 716 maybe the work number of a billing party.

In another embodiment, for the phone number 718, the cost per minute 722is 20¢ per minute. Similarly, the hourly rate 726 is $250.00 per hourand there is a flat fee cost 728 of $5.00 per call regardless of thelength of the call.

In one embodiment, the phone number 718 may be a personal or wirelessnumber for the billing party. As a result, the cost per minute 722,hourly rate 726, and flat fee 728 represent a higher cost to potentialcallers because of the personal expense to the billing party or becausethe billing party may be answering the call during personal time. Thecommunication expenses 714 under the phone number 718 represent thehigher cost of calling the billing party after hours or on the wirelessdevice as opposed to the phone number 716.

In other embodiments, the communication expenses 714 and the graphicaluser interface 700 may allow any number of phone numbers to be enteredas well as costs, hourly rate, flat fees, and additional expensesassociated with incoming communications, including calls, videoconferences, text messages, e-mails, or other similar communications.

The caller identification 730 and 732 may be used by the user and thebilling party to further determine who made the calls and when the callswere made, as well as the duration of the calls and the total cost. Thecaller identification 730 and 732 may show from where the calloriginated. The dates 734 and 736 may show the dates on which the usercalled the billing party. The minutes 738 and 740 represent the durationor time of the call. The total costs 742 and 744 represent the costs foreach individual call, including the cost per minute 720 and 722, thehourly rate 724 and 726 and the flat fee cost 728 for the phone number718, respectively.

The total minutes 746 and 748 may represent the minutes or time used tocall the billing party during a particular billing cycle or for aspecified day or other time period. The overall costs 750 and 752represent the costs for the time period. For example, the user may haveaccrued expenses of $542.33 for the overall cost $748.00 during themonth of January and a similar overall cost $750.00 of $618.90 duringthat same period. The total cost 742 and 744 may be calculated by takingthe number of minutes and multiplying the cost per minute 720 and 722 bythe minutes 738 and 740 to generate a communication expense. The flatfee cost 728 may be added to the cost of calls made to the phone number718 representing an increased cost of doing business at that phonenumber. The minutes 738 and 740 may be further multiplied by theapplicable hourly rate 724 and 726 to determine the cost of the billingpartys time per hour and then added to the communications expenses togenerate the total costs 742 and 744. The minutes 738 and 740 arefractionally calculated so that the costs directly relates only to thetime the user spent on the phone.

The graphical user interface 700 may also be used by a billing party towrite off expenses associated with one or more calls. For example, thebilling party may determine that a call made on the fifth of the monthwas mostly spent discussing personal matters and, as a result, thecalling party should not be billed for that information.

The illustrative embodiments provide a system and method for a dialingor calling party to be billed for communications, hourly, and otherexpenses or costs. The calling party may review costs as they areaccrued providing greater satisfaction with services and betterinformation for accounting and budgeting. As a result, the calling partyis less likely to be dissatisfied about a later submitted bill or feelthat the charges are incorrect or unfair.

The previous detailed description is of a small number of embodimentsfor implementing the invention and is not intended to be limiting inscope. The following claims set forth a number of the embodiments of theinvention disclosed with greater particularity.

1. A method for billing an incoming communication, the methodcomprising: receiving a code from a calling party during the incomingcommunication; allocating expenses of the incoming communication to anaccount of the calling party in response to receiving the code; andgenerating an invoice for the calling party and a receiving partyspecifying the expenses.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecode is an account identifier.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein the incoming communication is for any of a voice over InternetProtocol telephone, a wireless telephone, a digital telephone, and ananalog telephone.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein thereceiving is performed after the calling party dials a phone number. 5.The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving, allocating andgenerating is performed by a billing system of the receiving party. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein the expenses includecommunications fees and an hourly rate of the receiving party.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: managing the billing ofthe expenses using an interface available to the receiving party.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the invoice is updated based oneach of a number of communications, and wherein the invoice maybereviewed through a website or interactive voice recording or sent in anemail message or short message service message.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the code is an emergency dialing code configured toallow the dialing party to communicate with the received party eventhough a do-not-disturb feature is activated by the receiving party. 10.The method according to claim 9, further comprising: communicating theincoming communication as if the do-not-disturb feature is not activatedin response to receiving the emergency dialing code.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the emergency dialing code is set by thecalling party and approved for activation by the receiving party. 12.The method according to claim 6, wherein the expenses are calculatedbased on the duration of the call.
 13. The method according to claim 7,wherein the wherein the receiving party manages the expenses through theinterface by reducing or canceling the expenses.
 14. A billing systemfor separating billable expenses, said system comprising: a serverconfigured to track the billable expenses associated with an incomingcommunication based on a code received from the calling party andallocate the billable expenses related to the communication to anaccount of the calling party at the end of the incoming communication;and a communications network in communication with the server, thecommunications network configured to receive the incoming communicationfrom the calling party.
 15. The billing system according to claim 14,further comprising: an interface that maybe displayed by the server,wherein the interface displays the billable expenses associated with theaccount to the calling party and a receiving party.
 16. The billingsystem according to claim 14, wherein the code is an emergency dialingcode configured to allow the dialing party to communicate with thereceived party even though a do-not-disturb feature is activated by thereceiving party.
 17. The billing system of claim 14, wherein thebillable expenses include a communication cost and a hourly or flat feecost for speaking with the receiving party for a duration of theincoming communication.
 18. A billing system for billable expensescomprising: a processor for executing a set of instructions; a memoryfor storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructionsreceive a code from a calling party during the incoming communication,allocate the billable expenses of the incoming communication to anaccount of the calling party in response to receiving the code, andgenerate an invoice for the calling party and a receiving partyspecifying the billable expenses.
 19. The billing system according toclaim 18, wherein the code is received before or a call, and wherein thecode is an account identifier.
 20. The billing system according to claim18, wherein the code is an emergency dialing code configured to allowthe dialing party to communicate with the received party even though ado-not-disturb feature is activated by the receiving party.